Due To Coronavirus, Strongsville Schools Will Close On March 17

STRONGSVILLE, OH — The Strongsville Schools will be closed during the March 17 primary election, Superintendent Cameron Ryba announced on Wednesday. School leaders said concern over the spread of new coronavirus, COVID-19, prompted the closure.

"As you are aware, we find ourselves in a very rapidly changing landscape with regard to the coronavirus, COVID-19. Please be assured that we are in continued contact with our local and state health agencies to implement plans and procedures which will proactively place student and staff health and safety as our top priority," Ryba said in a letter to the community.

Many Strongsville schools are used as polling locations. To prevent student or voter exposure to the virus, Ryba is close schools on that day. Disinfecting procedures will then be followed when the election is finished.

All school-related concerts, activities, events and community rentals of facilities has been cancelled through, at least, the end of spring break on March 29. Strongsville Schools athletic practices will be allowed to continue, for the time being, Ryba said.

Non-essential visitors to school buildings will be barred during the school day. Visitors will only have access to a building's office area and will be required to wash their hands before entering. These new rules apply to parent volunteers in classrooms and parents eating lunch with their children in the cafeteria.

Kindergarten registration for 2020-2021 has been postponed until further notice. Makeup dates will be announced later, Ryba said.

Here are the other new requirements being implemented in the Strongsville Schools:

• Students in preschool to 5th grade will be required to wash their hands at the beginning of the school day and throughout the day, as necessary
• Hand washing will also happen before lunch and when students return from recess
• Chromebooks used by grades 1-8 will be disinfected weekly, at a minimum
• MakerSpace areas for students in preschool to 5th grade will be closed until further notice
• Secondary MakerSpace areas and computer labs will be targeted for disinfection
• Additional custodial support will be brought in during the lunch periods and afternoons to help support disinfection
• New protocols for disinfection on school buses are being finalized

"We anticipate further changes and adjustments to our procedures as this situation develops. Again, we are in contact with our local and state health agencies and will continue to follow their advice and recommendations, as it relates to school Districts and the health and safety of our students and staff. Any closure of a specific building or the District will be determined in collaboration with the Cuyahoga County Board of Health," Ryba said.